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A 2014 GOP Election Model

Republican David Jolly won a hotly contested special House election by going on offense against Democratic campaign themes—not just by opposing ObamaCare.

By

Kimberley A. Strassel

March 13, 2014 6:50 p.m. ET

Republicans celebrating this week's victory in a Florida special House election are right to take the race as proof that they've got a potent midterm weapon in ObamaCare. Those looking to mimic the model this fall would be even wiser to view David Jolly's win in its broader context: This was a victory of offense.

Democrats should have won. President Obama won this district twice. Democratic candidate Alex Sink carried Pinellas County four years ago when she narrowly lost a gubernatorial bid against Rick Scott. She...